Ipomea: Kajiado steps up efforts to eliminate dangerous weed

Residents of Emaroro village uproots the poisonus weed known as Ipomea on March 31, 2025. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard] Kajiado County is taking a bold step in reclaiming its vast grazing lands from the invasive Ipomea weed, a menace that has ravaged thousands of acres of pasture, threatening the livelihoods of pastoral communities. Under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLOCA) program, the county Department of Environment and Climate Change has rolled out a comprehensive sensitisation campaign aimed at empowering farmers to reclaim their parcels. The Sh200 million programme focuses on reintroducing high-quality pasture species, reversing the damage caused by the fast-spreading Ipomea, and restoring the grazing ecosystem crucial to Kajiado's pastoral economy. Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has reiterated the county's commitment to ensuring that communities are equipped with practical solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation. "Our pastoral lands are the backbone of our economy, and we cannot afford to let them be overrun by invasive species. Through this re-seeding program, we are restoring not just pasture but also hope for our herders," said the county boss. The re-seeding initiative aligns with one of Kajiado's core development pillars-Modulated Pastoralism-which seeks to enhance sustainable livestock farming by improving pasture availability and resilience to climate shocks. Experts have noted that by replacing Ipomea-dominated fields with nutrient-rich pasture, farmers will be able to sustain healthier livestock, increase milk and meat production, and ultimately boost the county's economy. Local farmers and community leaders have welcomed the initiative, recognising it as a timely intervention in the fight against the weed that has long choked fields and drained their resources. Through county-led training sessions, they have been equipped with knowledge on effective pasture rehabilitation techniques, ensuring that the fight against Ipomea is not just reactive but sustainable in the long run. This initiative is not just about land restoration - it is about securing a future where Kajiado's pastoralists can thrive, livestock can flourish, and the county remains a beacon of resilience and sustainable development in the face of climate challenges. The programme entails sensitising the herders on uprooting the weed and distributing improved Maasai love grass ahead of the April rains. At least 100 pastoral families have benefited with grass seed in the ambitious programme to re-seed fodder in the wake of high spread of invasive Ipomea weed diminishing much-needed pasture. According to the CECM in-charge of the environment, Michael Semera, the county has set up two demo farms in the Imaroro and Matapato areas to demonstrate the initiative. Kajiado County CECM in-charge of environment Michael Semera, (center) and county Chief officer James Ngugi, shows a group of maasai women grass seeds that are to be planted in order to reclaim county vast grazing lands from the invasive Ipomea weed on March 31, 2025. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard] According to Semera, the re-seeding is among other county programmes funded by the World Bank under the FLLOCA in conjunction with the county environment department. The weed was declared a county disaster in 2024 by the county government Speaking during the distribution of grass seeds at Emaroro on Sunday, Semera revealed that several groups have already been trained on how to disperse the seeds after mixing with readily available manure. ''For the last three days, they have been uprooting the weed in the demo farm earning Sh1,000 each daily. The comprehensive sensitisation campaign aims at empowering the Maa community to reclaim their land,'' added Semera. According to the county Chief officer James Ngugi, the programme focuses on reintroducing high-quality pasture species, reversing the damage caused by the fast-spreading Ipomea weed, and restoring the grazing fields. During the event to hand over the seeds, area residents expressed their joy, saying the idea was long overdue. "This particular weed has cost us a lot. It has invaded half of my land, I have no pasture for my livestock. I had no other option rather than to move out of this place not knowing where to go, however, with this initiative, I will uproot the weed and use the seeds to reclaim the lost pasture, '' said a jovial Rapas Ole Kida. Residents have also been leaving with fear as their children risk consuming honey from the plant, which causes drowsiness, and when consumed in high quantities, adversely affects their health. Patrick Memusi a livestock farmer from Mashuuru in Kajiado East, revealed that the weed had spread quickly, destroying acres of pasture. He had resorted to buying feed for his livestock. "I have no grass on my 40-acre piece of land. We just saw the weed spreading very fast when the rain began. We are therefore appealing to the county government to come to our aid and help us get rid of this weed before it eats up all the grass," said Memusi. Kajiado Central is the most affected area, with statistics from the county government indicating the weed has occupied at least 45 per cent of pasture land.

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